9.14.2010

Theme: The Doctor Is In — Last words of familiar phrases can be used to describe a form of medication.

Theme answers:

18A: Historic cache for future millennia (TIME CAPSULE).

25A: Investing largely in money markets, say (STAYING LIQUID).

42A: Item for doodling or note-taking (WRITING TABLET).

55A: Dispensers of the ends of 18-, 25- and 42-Across (PHARMACISTS).

Smooth Tuesday offering today from the late Mr. Naddor. I like the theme idea, but I'm not crazy about the base phrases. TIME CAPSULE is fine, but STAYING LIQUID seems forced to me. And WRITING TABLET? Yes, it's perfectly legitimate but it sounds awfully haughty, doesn't it? TALKIE is an awesome entry (59A: Supplanter of the silent movie) that we don't see in the grid all that often. And you know I like it when a person gets both their names in the puzzle! Today's lucky guy is AL UNSER (41D: Oldest driver to win the Indy 500). I pulled 62A: Mary Hartman portrayer Louise LASSER's name from way back in the cobwebs. Whatever happened to her?

Other than that, I like the colloquial "NAME IT" (15A: "Anything you want") and NOT ON A BET (52A: "No way, José"). I recall that 40D: Hitchcock's "DIAL M for Murder" is a great movie and is probably worth another viewing one of these days. Seems like we've been seeing a lot of tricky EAR clues lately, like today's 39A: Canal site. If the clue says something about "canal" or "hammer" and it doesn't seem to make any sense, try EAR! Overall, nothing to get UPSET ABOUT here (29D: Distraught over).

Crosswordese 101: When we covered YGOR-with-a-Y previously in CW101, I mentioned that Frankenstein's assistant is spelled with a Y in "Son of Frankenstein," but with an I in "Young Frankenstein." So if the clue is "Frankenstein aide," "Fictional lab assistant," or "Humpbacked helper" you have to wait for the cross. IGOR-with-an-I, however, also has a couple other clues worth knowing. Namely, the Borodin opera "Prince IGOR" and today's 30D: Composer Stravinsky, famous for both "The Rite of Spring" and "The Firebird." Late in the week you might see IGORs you've absolutely never heard of, but these three will serve you well most of the time.

Another nice Naddor puzzle!Of course I liked it… Dan always snuck in that EMMA Peel thing just for me (I’m sure). One of the things that I liked about Dan’s puzzles was his use of unusual words… things that I don’t know. Here’s a few: AIOLI, NOOR, and ALETA. If puzzle words don’t raise your curiosity to look things up, it’s pretty boring. I never get bored from his puzzles. Live on Dan!

Hands up for those who also put AMENDS in for EMENDS.

I just know that Rex is cringing right now over the inconsistency in the theme, especially STAYING LIQUID.

Probably Norman Lear’s best comedy series on TV… “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” starred Louise LASSER. (Yes, what ever happened to her?) I always remember the episode where she’s talking to the police on the phone and says “I can’t talk right now, I’m on the phone.” Turns out it was her grandfather who was the infamous Fernwood Flasher.

Now all you COOKS need to clue me in on what AIOLI is? Maybe even a recipe lead?

I liked the theme… reminded me to take my meds this morning before I hit the road.

Prince Valiant was one of the most beautifully drawn strips when I was young and the first thing I read back in the day. Enjoyed the reminder.Only seniors like me use the word "dial" but I miss the days of names for phone exchanges like BUtterfield 8, also the name of a movie.PG, I often find it hard to decide between liquid, table or capsule when buying a pain reliever so it made sense to me.

@Anon 7:57I too am an oldster and remember all those great movies and songs that had phone exchanges like DIALM. Here's a list of some of those NUMBERS. I know the dispute over the Jenny number ended up in court.

Two learning moments:Maria MONTESSORI, the Education Pioneer.Didn't know Prince Valiants had a wife, ALETA. (Always thought they were just dating).

Then again, my mind-set is stuck under that PALM in Jamaica contemplating my navel ... enjoying the local herbs and spicies. Everything just going "up in smoke" (like my fave NY Yankee's against my local Ray's. Gal-Pal and I picked a great game to attend last night).

Now all you COOKS need to clue me in on what AIOLI is? Maybe even a recipe lead?

It's an emulsion of olive oil using garlic (and egg if you're lazy) as the emulsifier.

Mash a bunch of cloves of garlic into a paste and sloooooowly whisk in oil until you get a mayonaise-like consistency. That's pretty much it. Mixing the garlic with an egg yolk first makes it much easier to get the proper thickness but a purist would say that's garlic mayonaise and not a real AIOLI.

I SPED through this fun puzzle and thought it was pretty "NEET."We should expand the mini cooking theme to include, DINED and NAPA (where some of the best chefs in the country live and work.)

My Alice Waters recipe for AIOLI/garlic mayonaise calls for 3 crushed cloves of garlic, 1 cup of olive oil, an egg yolk, 1/2 tsp of water and a pinch of salt. Dribble and whisk until opaque. Just make sure your egg yolk doesn't come from Iowa. Aioli is a must-have with steamed artichokes. Hmm - guess what's for dinner?

I keep a WRITING TABLET next to me when I do the puzzle. I just call it a legal pad. I thought of Peter Pan collars instead of ETONS. @Sfingi - I remember those circle pins well.

@JNH - my phone number for 21 years started with KI for KINGSWOOD.

I've never heard of VEET, but I can say both NEET and NAIR smell AWFUL and I DREAD them both.

People who use the word GENRE always sound pretentious to me. Don't know why -- it's a perfectly good word. Smiled at BOOTIE. I have a friend who knits them by the dozens and gives them to a charity. Liked the Q without a U NASDAQ.

When I was in HS, we planted a TIME CAPSULE. Have no recollection what is in it -- wonder if it has been dug up or just forgotten?

@CCLWhenever I see NAPA, I think of the Auto Parts Dealer, not your beloved CA valley where chefs live.Just a guy thing!

Thank you for the AIOLI recipe. I too have an artichoke for dinner tonight. Think I'll go out and get some fresh garlic and try that. Sounds yummy. I think I'll use pasteurized Egg Beaters just to be safe.My phone number for many years in Elmhurst was 832-8761 and my young kids figured out that it spelled U-FATSO-1. Those clever little devils!!!

@Shrub5Those same adorable kids sealed a TIME CAPSULE inside a hollow newel-post at our old house. I often wonder if the new owners have discovered it yet. Knowing those kids, it could be very embarrassing.

@Mac - welcome back to you too! A cup of olive oil produces almost a cup of AIOLI. And you don't cook it. It's simply making mayonnaise with garlic. You only need a tablespoon or so to enjoy. I would make a half recipe in most cases. We have a new cheese shop here that has delicious cheeses from all over the world including Holland. I only buy a quarter pound for the weekend. We nibble like mice. SQUEAK! (oops that was a few puzzles ago).